Is this fleas?...Cheapest way to get rid of them (without costly pest control?)

Leif

Biggles wrote: »

As you don't have cats, they will eventually die out, cat fleas don't live or breed on humans.

That is what I was going to say. I caught fleas from some moggies many years ago. The bites on my lower legs and ankles were irritating, but the fleas could not survive on me. One of my flat mates bought some flea collars for the cats. I think that is all it needed to clear them. Mind you, the small white cat continued to vomit on the dining table. Cats, don't you love them?

Are you sure they are cat fleas?

Biggles

maninthestreet wrote: »

what about the chihuahua?

Yes, that'll eventually die too.

Oh, sorry, the usual flea treatment (the best seemed to be the drops on the back of the neck, can't remember what they were called) should keep it clear.

LolitaLove

Biggles wrote: »

Yes, that'll eventually die too.

Oh, sorry, the usual flea treatment (the best seemed to be the drops on the back of the neck, can't remember what they were called) should keep it clear.

Just wanted to say thanks for all the replies I'm pretty sure it's cat fleas as chihuahua has flea and worming stuff from the vets monthly anyway, she's never had fleas, and as she's so tiny (less than 7lbs) she only walks on the pavement (rather than running around fields etc) or stays in the house. In all the years we've had her she's never had fleas and the bites happened pretty much instantly when relative with 11 cats came round... Hopefully thorough hoovering will do the trick! If the fleas can't live on our dog if she's been treated and can't live on humans, will they just die anyway? Thanks for replies x

bouicca21

I think cat fleas can live on dogs, but presumably not if the dog is regularly treated.

I'm surprised you had bites so quickly after the visit though. I did not think they were carried around by humans.

However I once lived in a flat with a cat flea infestation. They were brought in by the neighbour's cat who had been a regular visitor. The cat was banned. Thereafter the fleas died out naturally as they couldn't live on us, although they had a good try. It did take several weeksto get rid of them all, as obviously the eggs that were already in the carpets and rugs continued to hatch. By the end you could tell they were starving as when we saw them it was like slow motion and they were easy to catch.